A little Haitian girl describes how her parents’ house fills up with babies as relatives drop off their children on their way to work.
Mama Rocks, Papa Sings
Primary (ages 6-9)
Material appropriate for primary age groups
The Face at the Window
Dora learns to overcome her fears of a mentally ill woman who lives in her community in this gentle and compassionate story set in contemporary Jamaica, West Indies.
Saying Good-bye: A Special Farewell to Mama Nkwelle
This deeply personal story looks at the stately Nigerian funeral for the author’s grandmother, said to be “the greatest traditional dancer of her generation,” as told by Onyefulu’s young son. “When Mama Nkwelle died, everyone came to say good-bye. Uncle Asika said it was a special good-bye. It took more days than I can count on my fingers.
Everybody Bakes Bread
A rainy-day errand introduces Carrie to many different kinds of bread, including chapatis, challah, and papusaa.
Mokie and Bik
Twins, Mokie and Bik, live on a boat docked somewhere in Australia. They are looked after by a nanny because their father is away at sea and their mother is an artist. Mokie and Bik are always underfoot or overboard. The twins play on the beach with their dog, help a fisherman unload his catch for the day, and enjoy energetic games of hopscotch on the deck of the boat.
South and North, East and West: The Oxfam Book of Children’s Stories
A collection of 25 children’s stories from around the world. Published to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the international charity, Oxfam, the stories have been collected either in their countries of origin or from London schoolchildren. There are animal tales, ghost stories and family stories.
A Doll for Navidades
Las Navidades are coming. The house smells of cinnamon and coconut, crepe paper festoons the yard, and best of all, the Three Magi will soon bring presents to all the children. Esmeralda hopes they will bring her a baby doll. But instead, she receives something far more precious: she experiences firsthand the magic of giving and the power of her family’s love for her.
Flicka, Ricka, Dicka and their New Friend
Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka were three little girls who lived in Sweden. They had blue eyes and yellow curls, and they looked very much alike. One winter day, the girls made a big snowball. It rolled down the hill and stopped on old Mr. Fogel’s front walk. That snowball made Mr. Fogel cross, but he cheered up when the three girls came to say they were sorry. And Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka soon found that they had a wonderful new friend.
Day of the Unicorn
A young boy’s daydream transforms him into the fearless Sir Dauntless and he sets out to capture a unicorn that has magically escaped from a tapestry at Crag Castle.
The Last Polar Bears
Grandfather is off on an expedition to the North Pole to find the Last Polar Bears. Accompanying him is Roo, a remarkable little dog with strong views and a short attention span, and a golf cart full of equipment. The intrepid explorers set sail on the good ship Unsinkable and embark on the adventure of a lifetime. Grandfather and Roo endure storms, high seas, a temperamental sea captain, and seasickness until the ship reaches Walrus Bay. In the primitive coastal town of Walrus, Grandfather gets in a game of golf but unscrupulous wolves plague him and Roo. Finally, Grandfather and Roo and a penguin companion head off on foot to find the Great Bear Ridge, home to the Last Polar Bears.